RCSSC are members of the Cruiser Fleet and I noticed in their latest News Letter (which by the way has so much going on right through to December lunch – all things being equal and possible) a reference to Passage Sails on on Saturday 29th May and 28 August – both Bank Holiday Weekends.
Intrigued, I contacted RCSSC’s ‘font of all knowledge’ John Cranwell Ward and as usual he knew the answer. The following is our exchange by email which I am delighted to share with our members – sounds like fun to me.
DAVE: Not sure what a Passage Race actually is in this context – I am assuming sailing in company along an agreed route and then followed by tea. John, I thought perhaps you might be able to fill in my knowledge gaps here?
JOHN: Passage Race definition. The first passage race was a few years ago and attempted to “replicate” a passage across the channel from Dover to Calais on Rutland Water, therefore about 21 miles. 2 laps of the lake going to all the main corners approximates that rhumb line distance. As that first one ended up in “France” a French themed evening with a French meal etc. was organised. The next one was “Fort William to Oban” and started with a piper to pipe off the start, with a Scottish meal of haggis and neaps included at end of the day with a piper piping in the haggis and addressing the haggis as per a Burn’s night supper etc.
Wouldn’t it be grand to have all three RCSSC boats involved. Why not book yourself in for a Passage sail – who know’s where we will end up?
Now has it happens, I have ear- marked Saturday 29 May Bank Holiday for a sail.
Fancy joining us for a sail?